Government-Backed Program to Promote Responsible AI Adoption Among Canadian Non-Profits
A new initiative has been launched to encourage the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the Canadian non-profit sector. This program, known as the Responsible AI Adoption for Social Impact (RAISE), aims to position Canada as a leader in the utilization of AI technologies for charitable and social impact purposes.
Key Partners in the Initiative
The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the federal government’s DIGITAL Global Innovation Cluster, Toronto Metropolitan University’s think tank known as The Dais, and two notable non-profit organizations: Creative Destruction Lab and the Human Feedback Foundation. These partners are committed to fostering a framework for AI governance that emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), alongside ethical considerations and measurable outcomes.
Training and Support for Non-Profits
The Dais plans to provide AI training for 500 non-profit staffers, focusing on critical areas such as data management, policy, and service delivery. Furthermore, the initiative includes a one-year program called the AI Adoption Accelerator, which will assist five major non-profits—namely, the CAMH Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, CanadaHelps, Achēv, and Furniture Bank—in integrating AI technologies in accordance with their organizational goals.
Importance of Equipping Non-Profit Workers
According to a statement from The Dais, “Equipping non-profit workers with the knowledge and skills to responsibly use AI is essential for ensuring these powerful technologies amplify the sector’s collective impact for Canada.” This highlights the necessity for non-profits to harness AI effectively to serve their communities better while adhering to principles of equity and social good.
Funding and Investment Details
The launch of RAISE coincides with a recent announcement from DIGITAL regarding the allocation of $15 million in funding to support 16 AI-based training and career technology projects across Canada, which includes the RAISE initiative. The cluster has committed to co-investing a total of $650,000 in RAISE, with specific allocations of $270,000 for Creative Destruction Lab, $250,000 for Toronto Metropolitan University, and $130,000 for the Human Feedback Foundation. These partners are also contributing an additional $650,000 collectively to the initiative.
Addressing the AI Adoption Gap
DIGITAL has identified a significant gap in the adoption of AI technologies within the non-profit sector. A report from the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR) indicated that only 4.8 percent of Canadian non-profits were utilizing AI, with less than one percent of their workforce engaged in technology-related roles. This limited engagement hampers their ability to leverage AI effectively to meet community needs.
Previous Efforts and Challenges
There have been various attempts to promote technology adoption among Canadian non-profits. For instance, a software as a service (SaaS) startup named Hopeful has been instrumental in assisting non-profits in using their internal data more effectively. However, challenges persist, particularly regarding copyright issues faced by independent media outlets caught in legal battles over the use of their intellectual property for training AI systems.
The RAISE initiative represents a significant step forward in closing the gap in AI adoption among non-profits, ensuring that these organizations can utilize cutting-edge technologies responsibly and effectively for the betterment of society.
